The French government has declared that it must "do better" on the expulsion of irregular migrants from the country, after criticism from the far-right opposition in the wake of the violent murder of a 12-year-old in Paris. The main suspect in the murder case is a 24-year-old homeless Algerian woman with psychiatric problems.
The French government has acknowledged that it must "do better" regarding the expulsion of irregular migrants.
The statement was made on Wednesday (October 19) by government spokesman Olivier Véran following criticism from the far-right opposition in connection with the murder of a 12-year-old girl, Lola, whose body was discovered in a suitcase in Paris on October 14.
The main suspect in the murder case has been identified as Dahbia, a 24-year-old homeless Algerian with psychiatric problems, who is under investigation on charges of murder, rape of a minor, torture and concealment of a corpse.
"We are working tirelessly to ensure that deportations are carried out" but "obviously we must do better", Véran said at the end of a council of ministers on Wednesday in Paris.
Criticism from French right
On Tuesday, some members of the rightwing and far-right opposition in France, including the leader of the Rassemblement National (National Rally), Marine Le Pen, harshly criticized the current administration of President Emmanuel Macron.
"France is paralyzed by pain and horror in learning about the torture of little Lola", wrote Le Pen in a tweet referring to the murder of the 12-year-old. "Once again, the suspect of this barbaric act should not have been in France. What are you waiting for to act so that this uncontrolled illegal immigration is finally stopped", tweeted Le Pen.
'Nothing was done'
The National Rally leader also called the murder "an emblematic case of the out-of-control nature of illegal immigration in our country."
The interim president of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, recalled that an expulsion order had been issued against the suspect. "She should not have been in France, but nothing was done," noted Bardella.
Meanwhile, far-right political rival Eric Zemmour of Reconquete (Reconquest), wrote in another tweet: "Of Algerian nationality and in an irregular situation, it is official: Lola's [suspected] murderer should never have crossed her path. Once again".
Macron has received Lola's parents at the presidential Elysee palace and the council of ministers has paid homage to her family's "courage" as they deal "with the unspeakable."